Starting in 1982, the USAF ordered all operational SR-71s to be repainted with the red "subdued" or "low observable" markings. 973 was the first SR-71 to get the new paint scheme. - Lockheed photo via Tony Landis

973 was the only SR-71 to have the USAF star painted in red. The effect looked a little too much like the Soviet Red Star, and was not repeated. - photo by Mike Relja via Tony Landis

None of the other SR-71s got the USAF treatment either, just the tail number (which was exactly how they had all been painted with the old white numbers). - photo by Mike Relja via Tony Landis

May 1986 photo of 973 parked in the hangar at Andrews AFB. - photo by Tony Landis